Agenda and approved minutes – July 2025

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, 21^st JULY 2025, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT MEETINGS MAY BE RECORDED

A G E N D A

1. To consider accepting apologies for absence.
2. To record any new declarations of interest from members in items to be discussed.

To approve the minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 16^th June 2025.

4. Matters arising from the previous meeting/s: –
5. Circulating documents – to note the progress of any packs that are circulating.
6. Training – to agree any training courses requested by members of the council and receive reports on any attended.
7. Doctor’s surgery – update on service issues.
8. Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register.
9. Flooding – to consider whether to purchase replacement sand bags or hydro snakes.
10. Assets of Community Value – to note that the listing of the Red Lion public house will expire soon.
11. Bozeat flag – update on the design and purchase of a new flag.
12. Roles and responsibilities – to confirm amendments to the list.

5. Council services – to receive reports.
6. Cemetery – general report.
7. Cemetery – access lane repairs/widening – to consider a revised quote for additional work.
8. Cemetery – tree safety assessments – to consider quotes for safety checks of trees.
9. Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party.
10. Cemetery – lodge cleaning and erection of racking.
11. Cemetery – lodge roof – to consider a quote for repairs to, or the replacement of, the roof.
12. Allotments – general report.

6. Local environment – to receive the following reports.
7. Highways – including speed reduction measures near the primary school.
8. Highways – requests for parking restrictions [London Road/Selby Gardens; London Road/Little Close].
9. Street Lights – to note any issues and to consider arranging for a baffle to be fitted to a light in Court Lane, costing £75.
10. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – including responsibility for the footway running from Hewletts Close onto TA21/TA22.
11. Santa Pod – to discuss any issues with events/traffic.
12. Village Warden.
13. Village Green – to consider purchasing planters.

7. Planning – to receive a report.
8. Current/new planning applications.
9. Solar Farm proposals – to receive reports from recent events and formulate a response to any future planning application.

8. Representatives’ reports – to receive the following reports.
9. BEES Group.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association.
11. Bozeat Primary School.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings.
13. Public transport.
14. Speed signs.
15. Verge mowing.

9. Village Hall Working Party – to accept a report.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate ramp – to confirm that recent repairs have been completed.
• Skate Ramp – report from the working party.
• MUGA – to note that routine cleaning and maintenance has been carried out.
• Play Area – cleaning of play equipment and repairs to the safety and grass surfaces.

11. Mobile Phone – to consider purchasing a new mobile phone for council use.

12. Audit of Policies and Procedures – to accept a report.

13. Village Produce Show signage – request for financial support towards the cost of re-branding the existing signs [£160].

14. • To accept a report from the Police Laison Representative.
    • To note any local crimes that are notified to the council.

15. Local events.
    1. 13^th July 2025 – Summer Fete – report from this event.
    2. 19^th July 2025 – Open Gardens – report from this event.
    3. 15^th August 2025 – VJ80 – to consider organising an event.
    4. Opening event for new Village Hall [to include a Thank You event for village volunteers].

16. Finance

• Payments – to receive a report and to approve fund transfers and payments to be made this month.
• Annual audit of accounts – to note that the Annual Return has been submitted and the period of electors’ rights is underway.
• North Northants Council members grant [£200] – to approve the purchase of signs for TA19.

17. Correspondence – to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting.

18. On hold – to note the following agenda items are on hold
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with a new hedge.
    • Village Green CCTV.

19. To receive any items for the next agenda.

20. Date and time of next meeting – to note that the next of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 18^th August 2025, immediately following Public Participation at 7pm. The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat.

Signed by Lyndis Payne, Clerk to Bozeat Parish Council.

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A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 21^st JULY 2025, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THE MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Skittrall [Chairman]; Brown; Cooke; Docker; Foward; Gibbins; Moulds; Pollard; Pritchard; Steel and Todd.

PUBLIC: – No members of the public were present at the meeting.

Apologies were noted from North Northants Councillors Carr, Dunsmuir and Partridge-Underwood.

2. Declarations of interest.

Cllr Todd reported a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 13.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 16^th June 2025 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pritchard, this was seconded by Cllr Brown and a vote was taken = 8 for with 3 abstentions, motion carried.

4. Matters arising.
   • Circulating documents – the progress of circulating packs was noted.
   • Training – it was noted that Cllr Todd is to attend an Off to A Flying Start course in October.
   • Doctor’s surgery – the Chairman reported that North Northants Cllr Dunsmuir has been investigating service issues. Cllr Brown reported on his investigations into to legal requirements for the provision of health services, especially in relation to the provision of vaccinations.  Cllr Steel reported that the PPG have not been able to persuade the surgery to arrange a meeting for many months.
   • Review of Fixed Asset Register – it was resolved to move this item to the On Hold list.
   • Flooding – the Clerk reported that North Northants Council no longer use or provide sand bags and recommend the use of hydro snakes instead. The Parish Council currently has a small stock of sand bags in store.  Cllr Pritchard proposed that the council takes no action at present but reviews the situation in a year’s time.  This was agreed and it was further agreed to remove this item from the agenda.

• Assets of Community Value – noted that the listing of the Red Lion public house will expire soon.
• Bozeat flag – Cllrs Pollard and Todd have been working on a design and options were shown to the meeting, a design was chosen and it was agreed to explore costs

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• and materials from a flag manufacturer.
• Roles and responsibilities – a draft list was produced and checked, and amendments agreed, it was further agreed that Cllrs Skittrall and Todd take joint responsibility for the Parish Council’s media presence, with Cllr Todd being the Spokesperson. A new account will be set up and the older account will be archived.

5. Council services.

• Cemetery – A general report was read as received. Cllr Steel reported that the two spoil heaps left in the cemetery have now been removed and arrangements have been made for the donated seat to be installed.  It was noted that some letters are missing from names on the war memorial and Cllr Pritchard proposed that delegated powers be given to Cllrs Docker and Steel to spend up to £150 arranging for the missing letters to be replaced, this was agreed.
• Cemetery – access lane repairs/widening. Cllr Pritchard proposed that a quote of £8414.03 for work to resurface and widen the cemetery access lane be accepted.  This was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.
• Cemetery – tree safety assessments. It was agreed to check if a quote received several months ago still stands and to send a copy of a template created by Cllr Brown.
• Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party. It was noted that the working party has yet to meet.
• Cemetery – lodge cleaning and erection of racking. Cllr Steel reported that plans to do this work are in hand.
• Cemetery – lodge roof. A report from a roofing contractor was noted and, following discussion, Cllr Docker proposed that a quote of £8100 to replace the cemetery lodge roof be accepted.  This was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.
• Allotments – a report was read as received. The Clerk reported that the Allotments Manager is no longer able to print off council letters and she will do them in future.  One of the water troughs has required a new ball valve but now needs to be re-set and this will be done later in the year when there is less need to water plots.

6. Local environment.

• Highways – a report was read as received. Cllr Foward provided an update on action taken to progress the installation of the VAS system.  He also reported that potholes in the High Street and Mill Road have been repaired and North Northants Council are to take action relating to the dilapidated fence along The Flat.
• Highways – parking restriction requests [London Road/Selby Gardens; London Road/Little Close]. The Clerk noted that these requests have been submitted.
• Street Lights – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a quote of £75 for the installation of a baffle to a light in Court Lane in order to prevent light intrusion to a nearby property be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed.  No issues with any other lights were reported.
• Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – Cllr Pritchard noted that all rights of way seem to be clear. Cllr Docker reported that she is to meet with David Brown so she can take over work to identify ownership and responsibility for the footway running from Hewletts Close onto TA21/TA22.  Cllr Brown will investigate the Highways Gazetteer which may offer some help with this issue.

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• Santa Pod – it was noted that notification of events has been good this season and that their attendance with a car at the village fete had been well received.
• Village Warden – a report was read as received.
• Village Green – Cllr Cooke noted that he is waiting for a quote for new planters and it was agreed to defer this until the next meeting. The Clerk reported receipt of a Freedom of Information Act request and the Chairman proposed that the press and public be excluded from the meeting whilst a confidential item was discussed, this was agreed.  It was agreed to send a reply to the FOI request requesting clarification.

7. Planning.

• Current/new planning applications – Cllr Skittrall proposed that his report [Appendix A] be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Foward and agreed.
• Solar Farm proposals – Cllr Skittrall provided an update on the current situation and recommended that Bozeat Parish Council registers so that their comments are taken into account by the Inspector, this was agreed. Cllr Brown asked if North Northants Council has their side agreement in place, Cllr Skittrall to check this.

8. Representatives’ reports.

• BEES Group – a report was read as received. The wildflower area on Easton Lane is growing well and the sale of wildflower plants at the fete went well.
• Bozeat Playing Field Association – a report was read as received. Cllr Gibbins will arrange for the play area and equipment to be cleaned.  The Playing Field committee has asked for help with applying for grants and it was suggested that contact be made with North Northants Council who may have a grants officer.  Cllr Todd reported that she has set up a Facebook account for Bozeat Playing Field.
• Bozeat Primary School – Cllr Moulds to make contact with the school.
• NNC parish and ward meetings – no meeting held recently.
• Public transport – Cllr Pollard noted no recent service issues; however, the Village Hopper bus was involved in a minor accident in Wellingborough.
• Speed signs – Cllr Docker recorded thanks to Cllr Gibbins and Terry Lyall for moving the signs to new locations recently. She noted that the Safer Roads Teams do not accept any data.  She has not been able to download the data and Cllr Steel has not been able to access the account, Cllr Docker has now requested a step-by-step guide to downloading data and is to organise a meeting with David Brown so that the data can be accessed and utilised.  Cllr Gibbins to provide Cllr Docker with contact details for the speed equipment provider.
• Verge mowing – issues with several areas either being missed or where a resident doesn’t want an area cut were discussed and it was agreed to remove such areas from the general verge mowing map and ask the Odd Job man to cut these as and when required. A damaged wall is to be checked and a meeting with the owner arranged.

9. Village Hall Working Party.

Cllr Cooke noted that issues with the roof of the new hall have now been resolved and he provided a timeline for internal works.  A site visit is being planned for the end of August with the handover of the hall expected to be in October.  The Clerk noted a request from Boughton Parish Council for information, as they are also having a new

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village hall built.  They are organising for their hall to be checked by a surveyor prior to handover and it was agreed to ask a local surveyor if he would be willing to provide this service for our hall.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate ramp – Cllr Gibbins confirmed that some minor repairs are still to be completed but he is in contact with the contractor.
• Skate Ramp – report from the working party. The Clerk to confirm the members of the working party.
• MUGA – noted that routine cleaning and maintenance has been carried out.
• Play Area – Cllr Gibbins to arrange the cleaning of play equipment and repairs to the safety and grass surfaces.

11. Mobile Phone.

A report was read as received.  Cllr Skittrall proposed that delegated powers be given to Cllr Steel and the Clerk to spend up to £150 on the purchase of a new mobile phone for council use.  This was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.

12. Audit of Policies and Procedures.

A report was read as received and it was agreed to accept the two recommendations included in the report.

13. Village Produce Show signage.

A request for financial support towards the cost of re-branding the existing signs for the Annual Produce Show had been received.  Cllr Pritchard proposed that a grant of £160 be made to Bozeat Produce Show to cover the cost of re-branding existing signs, this was seconded by Cllr Steel and agreed with 1 abstention.

14. • To accept a report from the Police Laison Representative – a report from a recent PLR conference was read as received.
    • Local crimes – none notified, however an illegal rave close to the village on Saturday night through to Sunday morning had caused a disturbance and it was noted that the Police decided to monitor it rather than shut it down.

15. Local events.
    • 13^th July 2025 – Summer Fete – it was reported that the fete was very well attended and it was agreed to send the usual letters of thanks to those who helped. The working party is to meet on Wednesday for feedback from the event.
    • 19^th July 2025 – Open Gardens – a report was read as received. The weather was poor for this event but it was still well supported.
    • 15^th August 2025 – VJ80 – a national 2-minute silence is planned for 12 noon on 15^th August and it was agreed to use Facebook to organise a small event to coincide with the silence, with refreshments at TLC afterwards.
    • 16^th August 2025 – Village Produce Show. The Chairman reported that he is to present the Parish Council cup.
    • 8^th November 2025 – Barn Dance for FOSMB.
    • Opening event for new Village Hall [to include a Thank You event for village

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volunteers].

16. Finance

• Payments – With one amendment to a payment, Cllr Steel proposed that the report [Appendix B] and the payments and fund transfers included be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Pritchard and passed with one abstention.
• Annual audit of accounts – it was noted that the Annual Return had been submitted and acknowledged, and the period of electors’ rights is underway.
• North Northants Council members grant [£200] – a report was read as received. It was agreed to order signs to the value of £200.12 signs for TA19.

It was agreed to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting.

18. On hold – noted that the following agenda items are on hold: –
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with a new hedge.
    • Village Green CCTV.
    • Asset Register review.

19. Items for the next agenda.

• Christmas tree/lights.

20. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 18^th August 2025, immediately following Public Participation at 7pm.  The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat.

Signed by the Chairman, 18^th August 2025.